OUA West Hockey: Playoff Odds (or, Will Anyone Beat Western or Lakehead?)

Okay, so there is still a week left to play before we get the finalized playoff match-ups, but by this point, we have a pretty good idea of where these teams are. So let's break down the teams and their chances at taking the OUA West title. (And then you can call me out on it when I'm inevitably wrong.)

Western (2/1 odds) -- finish up @Brock, vs. Guelph

Well, they clinched first place a couple weeks back, so it's been pretty smooth sailing. Plus they have been playing Windsor and UOIT a lot, so that will prepare them for the first round.

But they have been struggling against those two teams. In a best of three, both could pull an upset (they probably won't). It'll help to have arguably their top six players and coach back though.

Western is the odds on favourite to take the title, but I'm not convinced they have the mentality to do it. I'm saying they are upset in the second or third round.

Lakehead (8/3) -- @Waterloo, @Waterloo

They have been ice cold this semester. Since sweeping Windsor at home on the first weekend back, they have gone 2 for 8, splitting with York and Brock for their two wins. Shocking.

But somehow, no matter how they are performing, they seem to turn it on during the playoffs. Their goaltending needs to be better though as Alex Dupuis and Kyle Moir have been sub-par.

That being said, do you really expect this team to falter? I think they make the Queen's Cup.

Laurier (9/1) -- @UOIT, vs. Windsor

I'm baffled that they are second right now. But what has carried them to this point is what makes them so dangerous in the playoffs: Ryan Daniels. Good goaltending wins, especially in a short playoff series. He could easily steal games against better teams, and he has.

They aren't firing on all cylinders at the moment, but I think they make at least the second round (if they avoid Lakehead, maybe even the OUA West final).

Guelph (12/1) -- @York, @Western

So I ripped them apart after they lost to York two weeks ago. Since then, they are undefeated, beating Lakehead, Waterloo and Laurier. Granted, all were home games, but that's still impressive.

They are going to need to get about three points this weekend to give them a home playoff series, which should get them to the second round. After that, anything can happen.

Waterloo (13/1) -- vs. Lakehead, vs. Lakehead

How the mighty have fallen. They have dropped like a brick recently. Basically they've been the bizarro-Guelph, losing their last four on the road. It's hard to win when your offence is based on one guy (Chris Ray), and that guy isn't there for two weeks. So let's be honest, they aren't that bad.

Brock (18/1) -- vs. Western

They are a solid young team that is coming together late in the season. Unfortunately, they aren't making it past the first round. Not this year. In fact, they are probably going to drop a spot in the standings and finish sixth overall. But that's still a huge improvement for a team that was dead-last in 2009-10.

Fortunately, we get to see where this team truly is when they host Lakehead twice this weekend. Those are two games that mean a lot as both teams could rise as high as second, or drop as low as seventh (sixth in Lakehead's case).

UOIT (21/1) -- vs Laurier

I love these guys. I'm going to guess few teams in the OUA feel the same. They should never be counted out. Plus their big guns of Josh Vatri and Nathan Spaling are on fire, which is pretty crucial going into the playoffs.

Can they pull off a first round upset? Depends who they play really. It's going to be one of Western, Laurier and Lakehead. I know it's weird, but I like their chances against the Mustangs. They always give Western a ton of trouble.

Windsor (21/1) -- @Laurier

They are pretty much UOIT with less firepower but better goaltending. Jim Watt or Frank Dayus could carry them through the playoffs. Unfortunately, you still need to score consistently to win and they don't do that. They will likely finish eighth, giving them Western in the first round (much to UOIT's chagrin). A hard-fought close series is likely, but Windsor isn't going to win it. I feel like I can say for certain Windsor's playoff adventure will be brief.

York (500/1) -- vs. Guelph

So you're saying there's a chance? Sorry Lloyd, these guys are mathematically eliminated. But one positive is they look like they are starting to build a solid young team, so that bodes well for next season. But right now, they suck.